Monte dall’Ora Valpolicella Superiore Camporenzo 2020

Monte dall'Ora is a family estate run by Carlo Venturini and Alessandra in the Classico heart of Valpolicella, north of Verona, working the vineyards biodynamically to keep the soil and surrounding ecosystem in balance. The Camporenzo bottling is a straight Superiore rather than an Amarone, built from the traditional Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Molinara grown on the limestone and basalt slopes that give these wines their acidity and bitter-cherry lift. Fermentation is on the skins to draw colour and the firm but fine tannins typical of Corvina, followed by ten months in French oak barrels that round the edges and add a light savoury frame without masking the fruit. The wine is medium ruby, with a nose of sour cherry, red currant, dried herbs and a peppery, earthy edge. The palate is fresh and detailed, the fruit cut by bright acidity and a stony, slightly bitter finish that keeps it food friendly. Serve at 16 degrees, ideally decanted briefly. It suits braised beef, game and mushroom risotto, and has the structure for aged hard cheese.